NATO Enlargement: Costs

Why, if it is NATO's intention to take decisions about enlargement later this year, they have still not produced estimates of the costs of enlargement, and how, without properly-derived cost estimates, they can decide whether the enlargement of NATO can be afforded.

Estimates of the possible costs of NATO enlargement made without knowing which countries may be invited to join the Alliance can only be speculative. Cost considerations will, of course, be taken into account as the time comes to take decisions.

Naturally the Government are studying all aspects of NATO enlargement and will be sharing the results with other Allied governments over the coming months, in the period leading up to the decisions on NATO enlargement.